They were assigned the Mental Health and Older People, Communities and the National Drugs Strategy and Health Promotion portfolios respectively.

Mr Kenny appointed just four women as junior ministers out of a total of 18, despite previous pledges over gender equality.

A Sinn Fein spokesman hit out tonight: “It is extremely disappointing that, given the improved gender balance in the new Dail, an Taoiseach Enda Kenny has seen fit to renege on his pledge to form a gender balanced Government.

“These appointments send out the opposite message entirely when there is still so much work to be done in improving the gender balance in politics still.

“It is a further blow to An Taoiseach’s claims of ‘new politics’. The Programme for Government was shaky enough without this retreat back into the politics of old and jobs for the boys.”

The Taoiseach’s appointments sees the number of juniors increase by three from the previous Government.

Mr Kenny claimed this is so the Government will be able to implement real change.

He said: “In doing so, the Government will, in line with our Programme for Government commitments, be putting a stronger emphasis on important policy areas.

“Particularly on the Department of health, to which four Ministers of State will be attached to work to deliver real improvements in this vital public service.”

“I am confident that all those appointed today will work hard, with the members of the Government, to ensure that the intensified engagement between the Government and the Oireachtas and its committees.

“Which will be provided for in the new Dail reform process, is effective in the interests of all the people who we are elected to serve.”

Some of the new faces who snared junior positions included Eoghan Murphy who got Finance, Sean Kyne was delegated to Gaeltacht Affairs and Patrick O’Donovan is the new junior Justice Minister.

There were 36 TDs to choose from and Kenny handed 13 positions to his party colleagues and just two were given to Independence Alliance TDs.

Deputy Sean Canney was appointed Minister of State at the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief and John Halligan was given the Training and Skills portfolio.

Sinn Fein Deputy David Cullinane hit out at the number of Fine Gael politicians who landed plum junior minister roles.

Out of 50 Fine Gael TDs, 27 of them are now ministers.

Deputy Cullinane fumed: “Today, the Taoiseach has created additional junior ministers. This is nothing more than a payoff for compliant Independents and party faithful TDs.

“It is ludicrous that half of the Fine Gael TDs are now Ministers, with all the perks and benefits.

“This is not new politics that was promised; this is stroke straight out of the Fianna Fáil play book.”

Despite calls from lobby groups and Oscar-nominated director Lenny Abrahamson, Kenny also chose not appoint a dedicated Minister of State for the Arts.

Labour leader Joan Burton said: “It is particularly disappointing that despite the fact that there are now 18 Ministers of State.

“Including three in the Department of Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht alone, there is no room for an Arts Minister!

She also said that the Programme for Government is “sadly lacking when it came to providing supports that would allow the arts to flourish and grow”.